AliousSince taking charge of Wolves in December, Vítor Pereira has impressed with his ability to get the best out of his squad. Under his management, several players who struggled for form or were overlooked by former boss Gary O’Neil have thrived.
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde is one of the standout beneficiaries, having contributed both goals and assists in crucial matches, including Wolves’ 2-0 victory over Aston Villa and their clash with Liverpool. Meanwhile, Toti Gomes has solidified his role in defense, proving to be a crucial piece in Pereira’s tactical setup.
However, not everyone has reaped the rewards of the new manager’s arrival. One player who has yet to find his place in the team is Carlos Forbs, a young winger who has struggled to fit into Pereira’s preferred system.
Forbs Struggles to Adapt to Wing-Back Role**
Forbs arrived at Molineux on loan from Ajax during last summer’s transfer window, with Wolves securing an option to buy. At just 20 years old, he was seen as an exciting prospect with pace, technical ability, and a direct attacking style. However, his loan spell has not gone as planned.
Since joining, Forbs has managed only 232 minutes of Premier League action, last featuring in a 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in January. There were even discussions about Ajax recalling him during the winter transfer window, but no agreement was reached, leaving him stuck in Wolverhampton with limited game time.
Pereira has expressed his admiration for Forbs’ talent but acknowledges that the youngster is struggling to adapt to the defensive responsibilities required in Wolves’ current system. Speaking to the *Express & Star*, the manager explained that Forbs is uncomfortable playing in a wing-back role, which has hindered his ability to secure a spot in the lineup.
*”I really like his personality and his skill set,”* Pereira said. *”But right now, he’s not comfortable playing in our system because he prefers to operate out wide, taking on defenders one-on-one. However, in our tactical setup, he needs to contribute defensively in ways he isn’t used to.”*
He added that Forbs lacks the defensive qualities of someone like Rayan Aït-Nouri, who excels at tracking back and covering ground. Despite this, Pereira remains hopeful that the young winger can improve, saying, *”We’ve spoken about it, and he’s willing to learn. I will do my best to help him adapt and develop.”*
High Hopes Dashed – What Wolves Originally Expected from Forbs**
When Wolves secured Forbs on loan, sporting director Matt Hobbs was excited about what he could bring to the team. He believed the youngster’s pace and direct attacking approach would add a new dimension to Wolves’ attack.
*”He’s very quick and loves to run in behind defenders,”* Hobbs said after Forbs’ arrival. *”Technically, he’s very strong, and he brings something different from what we currently have. Rodrigo [Gomes] is more inclined to cut inside, but Carlos thrives on taking defenders on one-on-one.”*
Unfortunately, Wolves fans have seen little of that potential during his time at the club. With just a handful of appearances and no clear role in Pereira’s system, Forbs’ future at Molineux looks bleak. Barring an unexpected turnaround, it seems unlikely that he will feature in Wolves’ plans beyond the end of the season.
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